Zoos launch plea to help feed animals

A desperate appeal has been launched to help feed the animals at two Kent zoos during lockdown.

Bosses as Howletts, near Canterbury, and Port Lympne in Hythe are asking for support to ensure they can continue their vital conservation work. This includes caring for the 1,300 animals at the parks, and to continue rescuing others in need around the world.

It costs more than £300,000 a week to run the two sites, bringing the lockdown operational bill to £1.2 million.

But with no visitors and no means of financial support from the government, bosses at the Aspinall Foundation - which owns the parks - says this is “not sustainable”.

Among the charity’s current projects is the rehoming of three lions - Mojito, Timothy and Anthares - who were rescued from circuses in France. Mojito and Timothy were “deliberately underfed to keep them weak and small enough” to use for photoshoots. Anthares was removed from another circus where he was forced to perform and lived in a “tiny, filthy trailer”. Managing director Tony Kelly said: “Without help and donations from the public we are struggling to fulfil our desire to rescue these animals and feed those animals already under our care.”

The creation of new sanctuaries for the lions and three brown bears will cost £250,000. Donate via the Animal Support Fund, by purchasing a Care Package for Animals from £5, or by Adopting An Animal with The Aspinall Foundation.

Lion Anthares was rescued from another circus